The Best Homemade Stovetop Chili Recipe: Hearty & Soul-Warming

Crafting a hearty stovetop chili brings comfort and warmth to your kitchen table.

Families crave rich, deeply spiced meals that spark conversation and create memories.

Beans, ground beef, and aromatic spices mingle beautifully in this classic dish.

Robust flavors develop slowly, transforming simple ingredients into something extraordinary.

Generous portions guarantee satisfied smiles around the dinner table.

Each bite tells a story of tradition and love.

You’ll want seconds, guaranteed.

Save The Best Homemade Stovetop Chili Right

• Store leftover chili in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, ensuring it's completely cooled before sealing.
• Transfer chili to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Remove excess air, seal tightly, and freeze for up to 3 months. Label with the date for easy tracking.
• Place chili in a microwave-safe dish, cover loosely, and heat on medium power. Stir every 30 seconds to distribute heat evenly, preventing cold spots.
• Pour chili into a pot, add a splash of beef broth to maintain moisture. Warm over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally until heated through, about 5-7 minutes.

Answers About The Best Homemade Stovetop Chili

• What makes ground beef the best choice for chili?

Ground beef provides rich flavor, quick cooking time, and helps create a hearty texture that’s traditional in classic American chili recipes. It absorbs spices well and breaks down perfectly during cooking.

• Can I use different types of beans?

Absolutely! While this recipe uses kidney and black beans, you can substitute with pinto beans, great northern beans, or even a mix of your favorite beans. Just keep the total volume consistent.

• How spicy is this chili recipe?

This recipe offers a mild to medium heat level with standard chili powder. If you want more heat, you can add cayenne pepper, diced jalapeños, or use a spicier chili powder blend to increase the kick.

Reasons To Crave The Best Homemade Stovetop Chili

• Craft Comfort Quickly: Dive into a hearty chili recipe that transforms simple ingredients into a rich, satisfying meal with minimal kitchen effort.
• Customize Your Bowl: Personalize this versatile chili by adding your favorite toppings like shredded cheese, sour cream, or fresh cilantro to match your taste preferences.
• Meal Prep Champion: Perfect for batch cooking, this chili stores wonderfully in the refrigerator and tastes even better the next day, making it ideal for busy families and meal planning enthusiasts.
• Budget-Friendly Feast: Uses affordable ingredients like ground beef, canned beans, and pantry spices, delivering maximum flavor without breaking the bank.

The Best Homemade Stovetop Chili Ingredients

• Ground Beef: A hearty protein that provides a rich and satisfying base for the chili.

• Onion, Garlic: Foundational vegetables that build a deep and flavorful foundation for the dish.
• Chili Powder, Cumin, Oregano: Classic spices that create the signature warm and complex chili flavor profile.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance and balance the overall taste.
• Brown Sugar: Adds a subtle sweetness that complements the savory elements.
• Tomato Paste: Concentrates the tomato flavor and helps thicken the chili.

• Beef Broth: Provides moisture and additional depth of meaty flavor.
• Fire-Roasted Crushed Tomatoes: Adds a smoky, rich tomato base with a slightly charred taste.
• Kidney Beans, Black Beans: Protein-packed legumes that contribute texture and heartiness to the chili.

• Olive Oil: Used to sauté the aromatics and help prevent sticking while adding a mild flavor.

How To Cook The Best Homemade Stovetop Chili

Step 1: Sizzle the Onions

Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add chopped onions and cook until they turn soft and translucent, releasing their sweet aroma.

Step 2: Brown the Beef

Introduce ground beef to the pot, breaking it into small crumbles as it cooks. Let the meat develop a rich, golden-brown color. Drain any excess fat to keep the chili lean and flavorful.

Step 3: Awaken the Aromatics

Toss in minced garlic and stir quickly. The kitchen will fill with an incredible fragrant burst that signals deliciousness is coming.

Step 4: Spice It Up

• Chili powder
• Cumin
• Brown sugar
• Oregano
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Tomato paste

Stir thoroughly to distribute spices evenly and create a robust flavor base.

Step 5: Build the Liquid Foundation

Pour beef broth into the pot, using a wooden spoon to scrape up any delicious browned bits stuck to the bottom.

Step 6: Introduce Tomatoes and Beans

• Fire-roasted crushed tomatoes
• Kidney beans
• Black beans

Step 7: Simmer to Perfection

Bring the chili to a gentle boil, then reduce heat. Let it simmer slowly for 1-2 hours, stirring occasionally. This slow cooking allows flavors to meld and intensify.

Tips For The Best Homemade Stovetop Chili

• Customize Beef Choice: Select ground beef with 80/20 lean-to-fat ratio for richer flavor and tender texture.
• Enhance Spice Balance: Adjust chili powder and cumin to personal heat preference, starting with less and adding gradually.
• Prevent Bean Mushiness: Stir beans gently and add them later in cooking process to maintain their shape and prevent overcooking.
• Boost Depth of Flavor: Let chili simmer uncovered to allow liquid reduction and concentrate taste, creating more robust profile.
• Control Thickness Easily: Add extra beef broth if chili becomes too thick, or let it reduce longer for thicker consistency.

Style Swaps For The Best Homemade Stovetop Chili

• Vegetarian Chili: Replace ground beef with plant-based crumbles or diced mushrooms for a meat-free version. Add extra bell peppers and zucchini for more texture and nutrition.
• Spicy Southwest Chili: Increase heat by adding diced jalapeños, chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, and a dash of cayenne pepper. Top with fresh cilantro and sliced green onions for extra flavor.
• Slow Cooker Adaptation: Transfer all ingredients to a slow cooker after browning meat and sautéing onions. Cook on low for 6-8 hours for a hands-off approach with deep, rich flavors.
• Low-Carb Chili: Eliminate beans and replace with additional vegetables like cauliflower or eggplant.

What To Eat With The Best Homemade Stovetop Chili

• Craft Bold Beer Pairing: Grab a robust amber ale or hoppy IPA to complement the chili's rich, spicy flavors and cut through the hearty meat.
• Boost Cheese Accompaniment: Sprinkle sharp cheddar or crumble tangy blue cheese on top to add creamy texture and enhance the chili's deep, savory profile.
• Create Cornbread Sidekick: Serve warm, slightly sweet cornbread alongside the chili to balance the spiciness and provide a perfect textural contrast with its crumbly, golden surface.
• Elevate Beverage Choice: Pour a glass of bold Zinfandel wine to match the chili's intense seasonings and provide a smooth, fruity counterpoint to the dish's heat.

The Best Homemade Stovetop Chili Recipe

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4.8 from 28 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 9 minutes to 2 hours 9 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hearty homemade Stovetop Chili delivers comfort in a bowl, packed with rich ground beef and robust spices. Warm, inviting flavors meld together, promising a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 1 pound ground beef

Beans:

• 1 15-ounce can red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 15-ounce can pinto beans, drained and rinsed

Vegetables and Base Ingredients:

• 1 medium yellow onion (chopped)
• 1 28-ounce can fire-roasted crushed tomatoes
• 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic (minced)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 3 tablespoons tomato paste

Seasonings and Liquids:

• 1 3/4 cups beef broth
• 1 tablespoon ground cumin
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Optional Toppings:

• shredded cheddar cheese
• sour cream
• green onions
• cilantro

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Instructions

1. Warm olive oil in a substantial Dutch oven over medium-high temperature until shimmering.
2. Tumble chopped onions into the pot and sauté until translucent and softened, approximately 2-3 minutes.
3. Introduce ground beef, crumbling and browning the meat thoroughly for about 5-6 minutes, ensuring no pink remains.
4. Drain excess fat from the meat to reduce greasiness.
5. Sprinkle minced garlic into the pot, stirring quickly until aromatic, roughly 30 seconds.
6. Incorporate chili powder, cumin, brown sugar, oregano, salt, and pepper, creating a fragrant spice blend.
7. Fold in tomato paste, mixing thoroughly to coat the meat and distribute spices evenly.
8. Pour beef broth into the pot, using a wooden spoon to scrape up caramelized bits from the bottom.
9. Add fire-roasted crushed tomatoes and both varieties of beans, stirring to combine all ingredients.
10. Elevate heat to trigger boiling, then immediately reduce to a gentle simmer.
11. Cover and let the chili develop rich flavors for 1-2 hours, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching.
12. Taste and adjust seasonings before serving hot.

Notes

• Customize heat levels by adjusting chili powder or adding fresh jalapeños for extra spiciness.
• Select lean ground beef to reduce excess fat and create a healthier chili version.
• Enhance depth of flavor by letting chili simmer longer, allowing spices to meld completely.
• Consider vegetarian adaptation by replacing ground beef with plant-based crumbles or additional beans.

• Prep Time: 2 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 7 minutes to 2 hours 7 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 260 kcal
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 480 mg
• Fat: 11 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0.3 g
• Carbohydrates: 25 g
• Fiber: 7 g
• Protein: 20 g
• Cholesterol: 55 mg